Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon today (April 2) extended a pair of executive orders issued to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The first executive order, originally issued March 13, declared a state of emergency in the county. It was set to expire on April 13.
The second, which was issued March 18, ordered all restaurants, bars and similar establishments to not serve customers in dining rooms, but allowed takeout, drive-thru, curbside, delivery and other alternate means of service. When it was issued, that order was to last through April 4.
Now both orders are extended indefinitely.
“The new order just says they are extended until further notice,” Gannon said. “In talking with the health and hospital people, they believe that a peak to this may be at least two or three weeks away – but no one really knows for certain – and then we’ll have at least a couple of more weeks of isolation after the peak. Not putting a date on it makes it easier.”
In addition, the new order specifies that while Jefferson County parks will remain open for the time being, playgrounds will be off-limits to the public until further notice.
Gannon said the takeaway for all county residents is simple.
“People just need to stay home,” he said.
Gannon said the emergency declaration allows the county and other government entities, such as a school district, to try to recover losses caused by the virus from the federal and state governments.
